American professor, Tobias B. Wolff, also a well-known lawyer, remarked that he was impressed by the activities in Vietnam to improve the rights of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community over the past eight years.
At at a meeting with Vietnamese reporters held by the US Embassy recently, he said that despite cultural differences, I have seen many shared experiences of the Vietnamese and American people concerning the rights of the LGBT community when I met Vietnamese people in Hanoi and HCM City during his stay in the country.
Professor Tobias B. Wolff
In Vietnam or the US, the LGBT community expect that their rights to be ensured, including access to health services. Their care is also similar to any ordinary person in society. Many LGBT people still suffer from public discrimination, but this helps them to be stronger to fight for their rights.
“Vietnamese people who I have met all have an progressive outlook. They agree on an equal treatment for the LGBT people. Vietnam still faces oppositions for ensuring rights of LGBT people, however, the opposition level is smaller than many other countries,” he added.
Prof. Wolff said that “ In spite of staying Vietnam for a short time, but I have recoganised that Vietnam is willing for active changes to ensure rights of the local LGBT community.
“I am really impressed by activities to boost the LGBT community’s rights in Vietnam over the past eight years. Eight years ago, Vietnam did not have national-level discussions on rights of the LGBT community eight years ago. But now the situation has changed and the issue has received support from some ministers, including Minister of Justice,” he said.
The professor also showed his regret on the National Assembly’s rejection of Article 16 on rights of same-sex marriage of the draft Law on Marriage and Family. “If the situation has not been changed, this will be a standstill in ensuring equal rights for the Vietnamese LBGT community. However, Vietnam will have time to consider whether same-sex marriage should be recoganised or not.”
According to Prof. Wolff, LGBT people should be brave to announce their real gender and be patient to persuade the public for their recognisation of their rights.
More stories about discrimination against the LGBT community should be told, including problems each family and person faces.
He said that one of the most difficulties for the LGBT community to announce themselves is the fright to be discriminated and abandoned by their family.
He called on parents to encourage their children if they belong to the LGBT community so that they can be stronger.
Currently, 19 among 50 states in the US have recoganised same-sex marriage. This is a fast and remarkable change in ensuring rights for the LGBT community.
